Cardamine diphylla (Michx.) Alph. Wood

Crinkleroot, Two-leaved toothwort, Two-leaf toothwort

Synonym(s): Dentaria diphylla, Dentaria incisa

An upright, 8-16 in. perennial with paired leaves, each dissected so deeply as to appear compound. The leaves are palmately cut into 3-5 sections. The basal leaves, when present, arise from a rhizome. A loose cluster of white or light pink, four-petaled blossoms occur at the end of a stem rising above the leaves.

This plant grows in woods but does not tolerate the deep shade cast by evergreen trees.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: West Virginia White is a native butterfly species often mistaken for Cabbage White, an introduced species. Lays its eggs one by one on this plant and Dentaria laciniata, another toothwort. Attracts: Butterflies

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Propagation

Description: Can be easily multiplied by rootstock division when the plant is dormant. Be careful, as rhizomes are easily broken. Seeds should be sown on a moist, shaded seed bed immediately after collection. Expect the seedlings to flower in 3-4 years. Seed Collection: A long, slender pod splits open 4-5 weeks after the bloom period. To catch the seeds, collect the pods when the seeds have turned dark brown and allow the pods to dry and split in a paper bag. Seeds lose viability quickly in storage. Seed Treatment: Not Available Commercially Avail: yes